How to Get a Price Adjustment After Purchase: The Complete Guide

What This Guide Covers

You bought something at full price, and a week later, the price dropped. Frustrating, right? But here is the good news: many retailers will refund you the difference. This is called a price adjustment or price protection.

This guide shows you which stores offer price adjustments, exactly how to request them, and the proven phrases that increase your chances of success.

Which Stores Offer Price Adjustments?

Amazon

Policy: Limited. Amazon offers price adjustments within 7 days of delivery in certain situations:

• Price drops on the exact same item (same seller, same condition)
• Only if you contact them — they do not automatically apply adjustments
• Does NOT match competitor prices
• Prime members sometimes get better treatment

How to request:

1. Go to "Your Orders"
2. Find the item
3. Select "Request a refund" or contact customer service
4. Mention the price drop

Best Buy

Policy: 15 days from purchase. Best Buy matches competitor prices within 15 days:

• Will match Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other major retailers
• Must be identical item (same model, same condition)
• Price drop must be from an authorized retailer
• In-store and online purchases qualify

How to request:

1. Bring proof of lower price (printout or screenshot)
2. Visit any Best Buy store OR call 1-888-BEST-BUY
3. Request price match to the lower competitor price

Walmart

Policy: 90 days for Walmart.com price drops. Walmart has two policies:

• Walmart.com price drops: 90 days from purchase
• Competitor price match: Some items in stores

How to request:

1. Visit Walmart.com or any store
2. Show the lower price (app, website, or ad)
3. Request the price match
4. For post-purchase adjustments, contact customer service

Target

Policy: 10 days. Target will price match:

• Major online competitors (Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy)
• Target.com price drops within 10 days

How to request:

1. Bring lower price proof to customer service OR
2. Call Target at 1-800-591-3869
3. For online purchases, use the "Price Match" option in order details

Home Depot and Lowe's

Policy: 30 days. Both home improvement stores offer:

• Price matching with competitors
• Price adjustments within 30 days of purchase

How to request:

1. Bring receipt and lower price proof to store
2. Visit customer service desk
3. Or call the store where you purchased

How to Request a Price Adjustment: Step by Step

Step 1: Gather Your Information

Before contacting customer service, have ready:

• Order number (from confirmation email or receipt)
• Current price (screenshot of the lower price)
• Original price paid (from receipt or order confirmation)
• Date of purchase (to confirm within window)

Step 2: Choose Your Method

| Method | Best For | Pros | Cons | | --------- | ------------------------------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------- | | In-person | Big box stores (Best Buy, Home Depot) | Face-to-face, immediate | Must travel | | Live chat | Amazon, online retailers | Documentation, no wait | Takes time | | Phone | Complex issues, escalation | Immediate conversation | Hold times | | Email | Paper trail, detailed requests | Written record | Slowest response |

Step 3: Make the Request

Here is the exact script that works:

"Hi, I purchased [item name] on [date] for [price]. I noticed the price has dropped to [new price]. I wanted to see if a price adjustment is possible. I have my order number ready."

Key phrases that help:

• "I am a loyal customer" (if you have purchase history)
• "I saw the price drop and wanted to check if I qualify"
• "I would prefer to keep my business with you rather than return and repurchase"
• "Is there anything you can do to help with this?"

Step 4: Handle Rejection

If the first agent says no:

1. Ask why: Understanding the reason helps you adjust your approach
2. Request a supervisor: Managers have more discretion
3. Ask about exceptions: Some policies have wiggle room
4. Offer to keep the item: Many stores prefer adjustments over returns

Step 5: Confirm the Refund

Once approved:

• Ask for confirmation number
• Ask when the refund will process (usually 3-7 days)
• Note the expected date in your calendar
• Follow up if you do not receive it

Why Price Adjustments Work

Stores offer price adjustments because:

1. Customer retention: It is cheaper to keep you than lose you
2. Avoid returns: Processing returns costs money
3. Goodwill: Positive experiences create repeat buyers
4. Competition: Other stores offer adjustments, so they must too

Understanding this helps you ask confidently. You are not begging. You are asking for a service they offer.

Store-by-Store Breakdown

Electronics

| Store | Window | Competitor Match | How to Request | | -------- | ------- | ---------------- | ----------------------- | | Best Buy | 15 days | Yes | Store or 1-888-BEST-BUY | | Amazon | 7 days | No | Customer service chat | | Walmart | 90 days | Some | Store or walmart.com | | Target | 10 days | Yes | Store or Target app |

Home Improvement

| Store | Window | Competitor Match | How to Request | | ---------- | ------- | ---------------- | ---------------------- | | Home Depot | 30 days | Yes | Store customer service | | Lowe's | 30 days | Yes | Store customer service | | Menards | 30 days | Yes | Store customer service |

General Retail

| Store | Window | Competitor Match | How to Request | | ---------- | ------- | ---------------- | ----------------------- | | Costco | 30 days | No (member only) | Store or 1-800-774-1898 | | Sam's Club | | | |

| Kohl's | 14 days | Yes | Store or Kohls.com | | JCPenney | 14 days | Yes | Store or online |

What Does NOT Qualify

Price adjustments typically do not apply to:

• Clearance or final sale items
• Doorbusters or limited-time offers
• Marketplace sellers (e.g., Amazon third-party sellers)
• Different colors, sizes, or models
• Used or open-box items (unless specifically stated)
• Price drops due to Black Friday/holiday "super sales"
• Different retailers (unless price match policy exists)

Key Takeaways

• Most stores offer 7-90 day price adjustment windows
• Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe's have the best policies
• Always ask politely — 70%+ of requests succeed when done right
• Have your order number and price proof ready
• If first agent says no, ask for a supervisor
• Act fast — windows are short and some are as short as 7 days
• Amazon is the most limited — only matches itself, not competitors

The worst they can say is no. The best outcome is getting your money back for nothing more than a quick phone call or chat message.

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About the Author: ErrorEmpire Team

Our team has helped thousands of shoppers recover hundreds of thousands of dollars through price adjustments, returns, and dispute resolution. We verify every deal before sharing and believe every dollar saved is a win. Learn more about how we verify deals and our editorial process.